Sergei Polunin, the young Royal Ballet principal dancer who caused waves by quitting suddenly last week, has forfeited the right to work in the UK, it has emerged.

The Ukrainian dancer's work permit was conditional on his contract with the Royal Ballet and has been automatically rescinded on his decision to leave the company. A spokesperson for the Royal Ballet confirmed the news: "Having resigned, Sergei no longer has the right to work in the UK."

Polunin told the Royal Ballet's director Monica Mason of his plans to resign last Tuesday, as a result of which the company was legally obliged to inform the UK Border Agency. Mason described his announcement as "a huge shock".

While Polunin was granted special permission to dance at Sadler's Wells last weekend, when he appeared in Men in Motion by another former Royal Ballet principal Ivan Putrov, his scheduled performance at the English National Ballet's gala evening at the Coliseum next month will not take place without special dispensation. The company is working to resolve the issue and artistic director Wayne Eagling has spoken of offering the dancer, previously tipped as a successor to Rudolf Nureyev, a more permanent position with the English National Ballet.

Though the ENB cannot match the salaries offered by the Royal Ballet, Eagling is hoping to tempt the 21-year-old with an offer that directly addresses the concerns that led to his resignation, including the chance to take on guest roles with other companies worldwide. Eagling told the Daily Mail: "I always try to let my dancers guest elsewhere. Why would you be in a company which does not give you opportunities?"

He continued: "It would be a shame for Sergei to waste such a God-given talent at this stage. He could take up tattooing at a later date."

Polunin has not, however, given any indication about his future plans, changing his Twitter biography to "Principal Dancer of ?" and apparently telling his former employers that he intended to give up dancing entirely. The Guardian's dance critic Judith Mackrell described his departure from the Royal Ballet as "a horrible loss".